Great heavy dutty gps. I encountered some problems receiving good reception in the colder weather and the altimiter was jammed at one reading for quite a while. Still a great gps. I wasn't too crazy about it. If you are looking to buy one, maybe you should also take a look at the Magellan 315.

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When it worked, it worked well. My suggestion to anyone interested in purchasing a GPS would be to call there customer service and see if you cn speak to anyone. Read customer service comments

Customer Service

My unit has had problems. After reviewing the documentation and checking out Garmin's the web site, my only possiable course of action was to pay for a overhaul. In order to do this you must call Garmin to get a RMA number. Good luck getting through to anyone. First call I waited 42 minutes and gave up. Second call waited 37 minutes and gave up. Still wait for a responce to a E-mail 7 days old today. If I had known this I would not have purchased a Garmin. Good luck to you if you do.

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When it worked, it worked well. My suggestion to anyone interested in purchasing a GPS would be to call there customer service and see if you cn speak to anyone. Read customer service comments

Customer Service

My unit has had problems. After reviewing the documentation and checking out Garmin's the web site, my only possiable course of action was to pay for a overhaul. In order to do this you must call Garmin to get a RMA number. Good luck getting through to anyone. First call I waited 42 minutes and gave up. Second call waited 37 minutes and gave up. Still wait for a responce to a E-mail 7 days old today. If I had known this I would not have purchased a Garmin. Good luck to you if you do.

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None

I have used my Garmin 12 since early January almost weekly for search and rescue training and missions. It has come in very handy at times. It's straight forward use and water-shedding ability has actually kept it in my rescue vest instead of thrown on the ever-accumulating pile of tech-junk. Most of my searches are in the forest canopies of the pacific northwest and on some occasions attenuation through the trees has been 3D-exceptional while at other times, I have had no coverage at all. The batteries last for almost two full days of searching, longer if the background illumination is not needed. Garmin would do better to package the unit with the PC cable and some mapping software now that other GPS units are arriving on the scene for less money than the 12, but overall, this is one unit I will continue to use professionally and recreationally until I lose it, crush it, drop it off a cliff, or accidently leave it for the wild coyotes..

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Compared it to a friend's Eagle GPS and was able to get better reception the day it was compared.

This is my first exposure to a GPS but I have backpacked and hiked for
years with only the use of a compass. I consider myself to be, above
average, when it comes to navigating by compass. Being a big researcher
I read alot and became very aware of the Gps products currently on the
market. Garmin GPS 12 is the in my opinion, the most bang for the buck.
It's fairly acurate, and very versatile. I have not experience any problems
with satalite aquisition in any circumstances. There are alot of more elaborate
products that are out there but not everyone is able to afford a 300-400
dollar unit. If you choose to buy this model, you will be able to do everything
you want to do with IT! (from a hiking/backpacking standpoint)

Customer Service

N/A

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Digital Compasses
other average GPS units

I've had my GPS for a few years, and for the cash, I'd rate it very high. Sure, current technology has raced ahead with goodies like maps, color screens, etc. But this is a good basic unit, especially for bushwhacking and marking waypoints of interest. I especially like the compass and speedometer options. I tried it in a plane and it actually kept tabs on speed (560mph), altitude and direction. The case seems rugged enough (I haven't dunked it or dropped it in mud yet) and I think the battery life is adequate, but I always carry spares in the soft case (get both--I highly recommend).

Customer Service

I haven't but my Dad has had some software questions, and rates their CS very high.

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None.